NHIS not collapsing as perceived – Regional Manager

Mr Francis Asante-Mensah, Eastern Regional Manager of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has urged Ghanaians to erase the negative perception by some members of the public that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was collapsing.

He said contrary to that perception, the NHIS was rather expanding as more people kept on registering with the scheme.

Mr Asante-Mensah was addressing a durbar at Akwatia organized by the Kwaebibirem/Denkyenbour districts of the NHIS to sensitize the people on the scheme.

He appealed to Ghanaians not to politicize the scheme and urged all to spread the message that the scheme is not “dead”.

Mr Asante-Mensah said the government would do everything possible to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.

He mentioned the provision of offices in all the 10 regional capitals as some of the efforts being made by the government to ensure improvement in the scheme.

Mr Asante-Mensah said management had put in measures such as periodic clinical and internal auditing to prevent fraud and any other abuse by staff of the scheme.

Mr John Awuku Hevi, District Manager, NHIS, said all bills submitted by service providers were vetted and payment made within three months.

He expressed worry about the reluctance of some pregnant women to collect their NHIS cards on time to enable them to access free maternal health care.

Mr Hevi advised those who, for one reason or the other, may attempt to undermine the scheme to change for the better.

Mr Kwaku Ofori-Abrokwa, Denkyenbour District Chief Executive, appealed to those who had not registered with the scheme to register immediately to enable them to access free medical care when they fell sick.

Osabarima Kofi Boateng II, Chief of Akwatia, who chaired the function, advised Ghanaians not to use their political affiliations to discredit the scheme.

Source: GNA